Intelligent theranostics all-in-one: Synergistic application of stimuli-responsive SERS nanoprobes for disease diagnosis and targeted therapy.

Surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) technology, with its single-molecule detection capability and molecular specificity, has become a cornerstone of biomedical diagnosis. Recent advances in stimuli-responsive SERS nanoprobes extend its role beyond static detection, enabling integration of diagnosis, targeted therapy, and real-time monitoring within a closed-loop framework. This review highlights major progress in intelligent probe designs that respond to disease microenvironments (pH, enzymes, light, heat) for simultaneous drug delivery and dynamic SERS feedback; closed-loop theranostic systems that directly link diagnostic outcomes to therapeutic actions; and demonstrations of improved precision and safety across oncology, infectious diseases, and other fields. We further discuss key challenges-including biocompatibility, standardization, and clinical adaptability-and envision future directions through integration with artificial intelligence and multimodal imaging, positioning stimuli-responsive SERS platforms as transformative tools for next-generation precision medicine.